Jean Gabin’s Film Joke Backfires – Unforeseen Consequences Unleashed!

The year was 1963, and Jean Gabin was on the set of the film “Mélodie en sous-sol,” directed by Henri Verneuil. Although not actively participating in the scene being shot, Gabin was observing the filming of a major sequence at the Palm Beach hotel-casino in Cannes. The scene involved 500 extras, including dancers and a full orchestra. It opened with a sweeping panoramic shot that had taken all day to set up. Verneuil was determined to get one last take before the day ended, as going over time would mean the producer would have to pay everyone overtime.

But Jean Gabin Had Other Plans

As detailed in André Brunelin’s book “Gabin,” the star, known for his role in “Le Pacha,” whispered to composer Michel Magne—who was portraying the conductor—to play “La Marseillaise” instead of the planned music piece as a joke. Magne, thinking this was a new instruction, agreed, and as soon as the director yelled “action,” he started “La Marseillaise” to everyone’s surprise. This caused confusion among the dancers and the crew, who couldn’t understand what was happening.

Jean Gabin chuckled at his prank without revealing that he was behind it, but soon realized that there were only five minutes left to reshoot the panoramic shot. The next day, it would not be feasible to pay such a large number of extras, and it was out of the question for the producer, Jacques Juranville, to cover overtime costs because of a joke.

“I Might Have Pushed It Too Far”

Verneuil, without trying to find out who was responsible, quickly set up for another take, and within the remaining five minutes, managed to film the sequence again without upsetting the producer.

At the end of the day, during dinner, Gabin confessed to his friend André Brunelin that he had not noticed the time when he made the joke, admitting, “I realize I might have pushed it too far.”

Unaware of who played the costly prank, Verneuil would later work with Gabin again on “The Sicilian Clan” (1969), featuring Alain Delon once more, and even Lino Ventura!

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